Amanda Russell, 15, was named queen of the Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday Court at a coronation ceremony held Thursday following a dinner at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge.
She is the daughter of Rick Bruijn and Michelle Tonning.
Leah Dauley was named Miss Congeniality by the princesses and chaperones Wendy Younger and Sam Pierce.
Catrina Stengrim was named first runner-up.
Savana McCalister rounded out the court during Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday events over the weekend.
When 2008 Queen Alyssa Logan passed the crown to her, Russell said, “I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh or smile. I just felt bad because one of the other girls didn’t get it.”
She believes she worked hard enough to deserve the award, she said, but she recognized the hard work the other princesses gave.
“They’re amazing,” Russell said. “I didn’t think I’d actually be friends with any of them because I didn’t know any of them, but now I have three new friends.”
She loved riding in parades with them, she said. They’re waving and their hands are hurting, but they were busy talking with each other, laughing.
Russell said she’s “learned a lot while being on the court” from the other princesses, Pierce, Younger and others, such as the mayor.
“I would just like to thank everybody who’s involved in the community and helped the court out,” she said. “It’s a great thing to help when it’s not something you have to do.”
Russell was nervous, being the youngest member of the court, she said, but Younger encouraged her.
“Wendy, the whole time, told me I won, and I was the youngest,” Russell said. “She was amazing.”
Russell said she was most looking forward to the rodeo and the rodeo queen’s luncheon. She also couldn’t wait to attend the Logger’s Olympics.
Russell had a hiccup during the coronation when she received her impromptu question. Mayor Craig Fentiman asked her if she had the power to pass on law in the state of Oregon to pass one law, what it would be.
After hearing the other questions, Russell thought that part of the process would be a snap, but she was initially speechless.
The other girls did really well on their questions, she said, and she thought it might have kept her from being named queen.
“I was super nervous,” Russell said. “I didn’t know what to say. How do you respond to something you don’t talk about on a daily basis.”
She eventually answered that she would raise the smoking age to 21, like alcohol use, suggesting that 18-year-olds aren’t really responsible enough to make that decision.
She gave her speech on why she is proud of America. She said that America is beautiful, and Sweet Home is just a little example of that.
America cares, she said. That’s shown by the soldiers who stand up for this country and by the people of Sweet Home, who substantially helped burn victims Lynn Damewood and Courtney Lake.
And America is free, she said. “We have the right to do and say what we want.”
“I think all the girls did a really great job,” Pierce said. “They grew as individuals. It was neat to see them grow from young ladies to young women. I was very proud of each of them. I’m very proud of the queen. She worked very hard for it.”
It was a big learning experience, McCallister said. “(Russell) is a hard worker and definitely deserves it.”
“It was a way to meet new people in the community,” Dauley said. “These girls are amazing.
“(Russell) is very friendly, always nice to everybody.”
McCallister said she was most looking forward to the coronation, while Dauley said she was looking forward to fulfilling her duties in her own hometown. Up until last weekend, they spent the year riding in parades in other towns.
Stengrim said she’s enjoyed getting to know the other court members.
“We’re all like sisters now,” she said. “I’m so proud of Amanda. She’s been great at keeping us motivated.”
Russell has worked hard, helped out the court and been there for Stengrim, she said.
Stengrim was looking forward the most to the rodeo, Mutton Bustin’ and the calf scramble, she said. “I want to get dirty.”
Fentiman was emcee for the coronation. Judges were former Mayor Tim McQueary, former chaperone Mary Sue Reynolds, Billie Weber from the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, John Fassler from the District 55 School Board, former queen and chaperone Chelsea Frick and Miss Oregon USA Sylvie Tarpinian.
Also attending the coronation was Rodeo Queen Niccole Schrock. From the 2008 court were Queen Logan, Allison Rice and Dany Petermen.
Musical entertainment was provided by Taylor Thorpe singing, accompanied by Spencer Knight on guitar. I Can Dance dance studio performed a routine prior to the naming of the 2009 queen.